Torque limiter device and deployable lengthening piece of a space instrument equipped with this device
US5082212A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 25, 1991 |
| Grant date | Jan 21, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 25, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64G1/44
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
So as to dampen the shock occuring at the end of deploying a deployable lengthening piece of a space instrument, such as a solar generator, without resorting to using a complex speed regulation or synchronization mechanism for deployment, the present invention offers a torque limiter device (28a) to be placed between each joint (12) and at least one of the adjacent elements (10a) of the lengthening piece. This device includes an elastic system, such as a stack of Belleville washers (48a) which presses the plate (24a) of the joint against the edge of the element (10a) with a predetermined and preferably adjustable force. At the end of deployment, this elastic system absorbs the energy of the shock by deforming, then it brings the two pieces (24a, 10a) back into contact with each other thus giving the lengthening piece with the desired rigidity. An accurate relative positioning is then ensured by a flexible plate (34a) whose lateral edges are secured to each of the pieces.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.